How to Explore Arizona for Beautiful Flowers

Welcome,
This is my entry into the 2008 Flower Contest. If you find that you like this Instructable please vote for me in the contest and/or give me a + plus.

My family and I take riding trips on our ATVs all across Arizona. Our ATV's are street legal and have very low emissions, probably lower than the car you drive. It has a 3 gallon tank and I get 120 miles to a full tank. You do the math, it's most likely better than you car. Therefore I consider it greener than most vehicles.

While on these rides we take a lot of pictures. My wife just so happens to like to take pictures of flowers. It doesn't matter if they are high up in the mountains marshes, near low valley streams, or in the harsh environment of the dry arid desert; you can find blooms in almost any environment in Arizona. This is also a great reminder how beautiful this country is and that we should preserve it, remember to always Tread Lightly

Below you will find a video montage I put together of Arizona plants blooming. But be sure to check out the rest of the Instructable of how to find the flowers. The video is accompanied by the music of Bill Furner's " Acoustic Samurai" which creates a peaceful, inspirational, and emotional tone that helps connect the viewer to the video on a personal level.

Enjoy the video if you are not familiar with the Arizona you may be surprised by its beauty.

If you would like to see more pictures of our rides and scenery shots you can see more on my website www.miles-o-smiles.com Click Photo Album on the left side of the screen. Next choose ATV Rides from the main window area and enjoy the pics.

Thanks for looking and don't forget to vote for me in the contest!

You can also find the video on my personal webpage here in a larger format for better viewing.

Step 1 Get Yourself an ATV or Other Off-road Transportation

You might say "ATV's aren't green". Well neither is the car you drive, but my ATV has very low emissions and it is street legal with plates. My truck has very low emissions also and gets pretty good gas mileage as well. The only thing better was if I had a horse. Well I don't have a horse, but even they put out emissions. If you have never been around one, or behind one then don't even start to dispute this. :-)

Here in Arizona there are so many back roads and trails, not to mention the terrain varies so dramatically you really require an off-road vehicle to be safe. But an off-road vehicle is not an absolute necessity, you could hike or bike. But an ATV helps you to get out to the more remote areas where you don't want to be with a bike.

We, my wife and I, have two Bombardier (now Ca-Am) 2 seater ATV's (see the pics below) which we take the kids out on. It is a fantastic time. Remember to stay on authorized trails and not tear up the environment. People that do that give ATV’s a bad name.

Along the way my wife loves to stop and take pictures of flowers.
Before you can take pictures you need to choose a camera. This leads to the next step in the Instructable, choosing a camera.

Comments

[Mikie-z]

If your traveling to the Mojave desert wear some really good boots and get some tire patches! The biggest spike I ever got in my foot was in the Mojave.

[eternal_me1]

Used to live in Chandler just south of Phoenix. Born in Mesa. After 8 years in Chandler, I moved to India.

[mcguyverzboss]

I must say I like the video. It adds to your instructable. I myself have taken some photos of flowers but yours look very professional.

[crayzclown1]

i live 45 miniutes from phoenix, in wickenburg. i took these:

[pmartinez]

Nice pic. It reminded me when I was stationed in Yuma for about 6 weeks for WTI (Weapons Tactics Instructor), when I was in the Corps. I used to love going into the desert and take pictures of wild flowers, just beautiful country, is a magical place, incredible sun sets... One day I'll visit again.. Pedro

[Squirrelfriend]

That beautiful purple flower, is the flower of a plant called Musk Thistle. I don't know about Arizona but that is a Noxious Weed in many western states. Be sure to clean off road vehicles before transporting these seeds to new areas. Noxious weeds are very invasive plants, its a sad thing some of them look so nice.

[Lego man]

I live out here in Arizona and I must say it is a very beautiful place and the flowers are amazing! People complain about living in a desert but if you look around it is full of green. (oh and my family has two Atvs like your green one)

[Mr. Rig It]

Very true, I hate hearing people complain about the dust. I love it here. What high school do you go to?

[Lego man]

The Kingman Academy how did you know I was in High school?

[Lego man]

What part of Arizona do you live in?

[Mr. Rig It]

Avondale, just outside of Phoenix. Your bio said you are 15 and can't wait until you finish high school.

[hippie_mama]

ATVs = Green?

[Mr. Rig It]

Thanks you reminded me to add a link, check it out at the end of the second paragraph.

[desertskyblue]

Great video! Love the music, love the flowers. For those who are not aware, Arizona is much more than rock and dry heat! She has her own array of unique beauty as shown by Mr. Rig It! Congrats!! Mom

[rimar2000]

Nice instructable, nice flowers, nice music.

[Mr. Rig It]

Thank you very much.

[bumpus]

i think you have your pictures in the wrong spots, other-wise, very well documented

[Mr. Rig It]

You are right, Thank you! I will fix it.